Egg case loader and unloader



C. MCCULLOUGH EGG CASE LOADER AND UNLOADER July 21, 1925.

Filed Aug. 28. 1924 @@I@ 9155@ @@@QQ QQ@ @@KECQIQT@ Patented `uly 21, 1925.

UNITED STATES CHARLES MCCULLOUGH, 0F BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA.

EGG CASE LOADER AND UNLOADER.

Application filed August 28, 1924. Serial No. 734,813.

T 0 all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES MCCUL- Lonen, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Berkeley, in the county of Alameda and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements 1n Egg Case Loaders and Unloaders, of which the following is a specification.

One object of my invention is to provide means whereby a crate of eggs may be readily unloaded, inspected and handled.

Another object is to provide a method whereby these operations may be most readil v accomplished.

TWith these and incidental objects in view, the invention consists` of certain novel features of construction and combination of parts. the essential elements of which are hereinafter described with reference to the drawing which accompanies and forms a part of this specification.

In the drawing, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved egg loader. Figure 2 is a plan view of an egg crate showing a fragment of my invention applying thereto to illustrate the manner in which it is used. Figure 2i is a side elevation of my improved loader filled with eggs and showing the manner of applying the separator, which also forms a part of my invention. Figure 11 is perspective view of the separator.

The egg loader proper consists of a sheet of metal formed into a U with sides 1 and 2 and back 8, having flanges 4 formed about the lower perimeter thereof and riveted to the plate 5 which forms the other member of the unloader.

The ordinary egg case is 11% X 11% inside measurements by 121/2 deep, and accordingly l prefer to make my unloader with dimensions of 11% X 115/3 X 13, so as to allow it to he readily inserted in the case, even though there be some little variation in the position of the center dividing strips of the case.

The case generally contains two halves, as shown in Figure 2 and is filled with what are known as fillers 1, Figure 3, each of which contains three dozen eggs and these fillers full of eggs are superimposed one above the other in each half of the case, as shown in Figures 2 and 8.

In the past it has been the custom to knock off one side of the case to allow the fillers full of eggs to be pulled out from that side,

with the result that a heavy proportion of the crates are damaged beyond repair, so that this method of unloading is not only slow, but also destructive and therefore eX- pensive.

If the side of the case is not knocked off to allow the withdrawal of the fillers, it is necessary to insert the hands down in the case, forcing the fingers between the sides 0f the case and the filler, thereby lifting the filler straight up, the general result being a destroyed filler and checked eggs.

In using my method and applying'my invention the unloader shown in Figure 1 is turned bottom side up and inserted in one half of the case, as shown in Figure 2, a similar unloader being inserted in the other half of the case. The case is then turned upside down and lifted, so leaving the unloader with the stacks of fillers remaining therein with the open side of the unloader exposed.

The separator 6 can then be passed, between the fillers, as shown in Figure 3 and the fillers with their contents of eggs lifted off one at a time for inspection, or to be loaded on the machines for cleaning or processing.

The unloader also is used to load the case by merely reversing the process, namely lay the fillers into the two unloaders, place the case in position over the unloaders and press it clear home, then turn the case with the unloaders upside down and then remove the unloaders.

By using this method and my improved unloader, the handling of eggs, both of loading' and unloading, inspection, etc., is greatly facilitated yand the damage to crates and the loss in checked eggs, reduced to a minimum.

lVhile I have described my invention and illustrated it in one particular style and method, I do not wish it understood that I limit myself to this particular embodiment, as it is evident the invention may be varied in many ways within the scope of the following claims:

1. An insertible form for removing articles from a receptacle, the form having two a-ngularly disposed openings, the closed side opposite one of the openings serving to overlie the articles to be removed when the form is inserted into a receptacle, whereby the receptacle and form may be inverted and the receptacle Withdrawn leaving the contents resting 0-11 said opposite side which then serves a1,bottoneL A 2. An)v msertlfble fermV 012' removmgartieles from a, receptacle, the form having. two

5 angully SPOSQCL- @wiegethe; QlQseC-l'sde opposlte one of the openlngs servlng t0 overhe the articles te be remo-vedi when the ferm is inserted inte a, receptacle, and extending beyond the othereidesof the ferm; whereby the receptacle and fomnmy be inverted and the receptacle Withdrawn, leaving the Contentsrestngenzea'idj Opposite side which then serves as a bottom.

CHARLES MGCULLOUGH. 

